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A Color Specialist

Hair Color Expert based in the West Coast who focuses on grey hair. His clients include Jane Fonda and Andie MacDowell.

What affordable item can't you live without?

I swear by a microfibre towel, or even a soft cotton T-shirt to dry your hair. Most people don’t realise how much stress a standard towel can do, particularly for silver or chemically treated hair. This minor adjustment can really reduce frizz and breakage. Another affordable staple is a large-gap comb, to use in the shower. It protects the hair while removing knots and helps preserve the strength of the hair shafts, notably following coloring.

What item or service justifies the extra cost?

A high-quality styling iron – ceramic or tourmaline, with adjustable temperature options. Grey and blonde hair can become discolored or suffer heat stress without the correct device.

What style or process should you always avoid?

At-home lightening. Online tutorials can be misleading, but the reality is it’s one of the riskiest things you can do to your hair. There are cases where individuals cause irreversible harm, snap their strands or end up with uneven tones that are incredibly challenging to remedy. I would also avoid chemical straightening processes on bleached or silver hair. These formulations are often overly harsh for already fragile strands and can cause chronic issues or undesired tones.

What frequent error do you observe?

Clients selecting inappropriate items for their particular strand characteristics. Some overuse violet-based cleansers until their silver or blond hair looks flat and dull. Others rely too much on high-protein masks and end up with unmanageable, weak locks. The other major issue is thermal styling minus a barrier. If you’re using styling appliances without a protective product, – especially on pre-lightened hair – you’re going to see discoloration, dehydration and damage.

Which solutions help with shedding?

Hair loss needs a multilayered approach. For direct application, minoxidil is highly proven. I often suggest follicle treatments containing stimulants to boost blood flow and promote root strength. Incorporating a clarifying shampoo regularly helps remove residue and allows products to perform better. Oral aids like specialized formulas have also shown great results. They support the body from the inside out by balancing body chemistry, anxiety and nutritional deficiencies.

For those seeking higher-level solutions, platelet-rich plasma treatments – where a concentration from your blood is administered – can be beneficial. Still, my advice is to getting a professional diagnosis beforehand. Hair loss is often tied to underlying health issues, and it’s important to identify the source rather than pursuing temporary solutions.

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A Hair and Scalp Specialist

Scalp and Hair Scientist and brand president of Philip Kingsley centers and lines targeting thinning.

How often do you get your hair cut and coloured?

My trims are every couple of months, but will trim off splits at home every two weeks to keep my ends healthy, and have lightening sessions every eight weeks.

Which bargain product do you swear by?

Hair-thickening particles are remarkably effective if you have see-through sections. These particles bond to your existing hair, and it comes in a assortment of tones, making it virtually undetectable. I personally applied it after childbirth when I had noticeable thinning – and also now while experiencing some considerable hair loss after having a severe illness recently. Since hair is non-vital, it’s the first part of you to suffer when your intake is insufficient, so I would also recommend a well-rounded, nutrient-rich diet.

What justifies a higher investment?

If you have female pattern hair loss (FPHL), I’d say prescription hair-loss topicals. When dealing with temporary hair loss, known as TE, buying an non-prescription item is fine, but for FPHL you really do need clinical interventions to see the optimal outcomes. In my opinion, minoxidil compounded with other hair-supportive actives – such as balancing elements, inhibitors and/or calming components – works best.

Which popular remedy is ineffective?

Using rosemary essential oil for thinning. It's ineffective. The whole thing stems from one small study done in 2015 that compared the effects of a low-dose minoxidil with rosemary oil. A low concentration like 2% is insufficient to do much for male pattern hair loss, so the study is basically saying they are equally minimal in effect.

Also, high-dose biotin. Hardly anyone is biotin deficient, so consuming it probably won't help your locks, and it can alter thyroid level measurements.

What’s the most common mistake you see?

In my view, we should rename "hair washing" to "scalp cleaning" – because the primary purpose of washing is to rid your scalp of old oils, dead skin cells, sweat and environmental pollution. I notice clients skipping washes as they think it’s harmful to their strands, when in fact the opposite is true – particularly with flaky scalp, which is intensified by sebum accumulation. When sebum remains on the skin, they break down and become inflammatory.

Sadly, scalp requirements and hair preferences may conflict, so it’s a careful compromise. But as long as you are gentle when you shampoo and handle wet hair with care, it is unlikely to cause damage.

What solutions do you suggest for thinning?

With female pattern loss, minoxidil is essential. It has the most robust evidence behind it and tends to work best when compounded with other hair-supportive actives. If you're interested in complementary therapies, or you prefer not to use it or are unable, you could try collagen induction therapy (with a specialist), and perhaps PRP or low-level laser therapy.

With telogen effluvium, investigation is key. Increased hair loss often stems from an underlying issue. Occasionally, the reason is temporary – such as flu, Covid or a period of intense stress – and it will resolve on its own. Sometimes, hormonal problems or dietary gaps are responsible – the typical deficiencies involve iron, B12 and vitamin D – and to {treat the hair loss you need to treat the cause|address shedding, target the underlying issue|combat thinning, focus